Northward advance of heraldry.

　It is recorded that it was the first large-scale military action against other forces after the appearance of the great demon Zebraeliris. It was the first large-scale military action against other forces after the emergence of the Great Demon Zebraeliris. 7,000 Monstrance soldiers and about 600 Gazarian elves. The total number of soldiers, including mercenaries, was over 8,000.

　The two forces formed an alliance and crossed the Ogas River on the eastern border of the Garlist Kingdom.

　The season is death and snow. Mattia, saint of the heraldic order, and Finn-Eldis, queen of the Hanging Gardens of Ghazaria. The march of the allied forces, led by the two allies, is imagined to have been terrible.

　The dead snow melted to the ground and turned to mud, which made their shoes extra heavy. The stinging cold alone is a serious matter for soldiers. If they give themselves up to the cold, they can easily die.

　In addition, the deadly snow turns the land into a magical territory. There is not much that one can do in the face of these creatures, who are more fierce than usual and stretch their arms and legs at will.

　Escape or become a corpse.

　This is why most nations and noble lords do not send troops into the dead snow. Their troops would be too exhausted and it would be nearly impossible for them to attack any stronghold. The defenders would be outnumbered in any way.

　That's probably why. The thoughts of the saint Mattia, who is said to have decided to march north with only a few men, and the queen Finn-Erdis, have aroused many imaginations.

　Multiple theories have arisen and disappeared. And so it went on and on. And yet, there is no settled theory.

　What prompted them, what pushed them back. It remains unknown to this day.

　The heraldic movement north. I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not.


　I'm not sure.


　I look up at the big flag spreading in the sky. I'm not sure what to make of it. The fabric smells faintly brand-new, so it's probably never been used.

　Perhaps it's the coloration that makes it look odd mixed in with the flags of heraldry and Gazalia.

　Kalia says in disgust as she rocks her horse close by. Her silver eyes stare at me quizzically.

The silver eyes stared at me quizzically. "You never know when you'll end up flying the banner of House Bashar. How could the heraldry accept it?

　It is the flag of the enemy," Kalia continued.

　The flag that is raised must mean a lot to the Garristian aristocracy, judging by the indescribably sullen expression on his face.

　At the very least, wielding a sword under another family's flag is a very uncomfortable thing.

　To be honest, I don't really understand such sentiments. A flag is just a flag, and I understand that there is a meaning behind it, but I can't really feel it.

　I guess this is the difference between those who were educated as nobles and those who were just born as poor people. It's a difference I don't envy much.

　He rolled the words around in his mouth, and his cheeks relaxed as he spoke back.

"Old man Paloma was kind enough to give it to me. Paloma's old man was kind enough to give it to me, and I'm going to use it.

　The word "graciously" may be a bit of a misnomer, but it doesn't matter. I asked him and he said yes. Then the deal was done. It may have been cruel, but...

　But he did horrible harm to my family once. Then he should be allowed to stick a blade in me once.

　I show my teeth and fill my mouth with water. The water had chilled him so much that it was almost liquid ice.

And, Kalia, don't you dare call us enemies. We're just trying to reach out to them, right?

　Yeah. We're not going to trample on their land.

　We just heard about the fall of the Garlist capital, and we're going to help them out. As a backer, there is the Bashar family.

　At least on the surface, that is the picture painted by Mattia and Elddis. What? It's not always what it really is.

　I'm sure you'll be able to figure out what's going on. A black and scarlet sword swung at her waist.

"I see. So what if I call you, the ringleader, the savior?

　He raised his hands in the air, his cheeks involuntarily flushed, and begged for forgiveness. After all, there are other people who deserve that name. I'm too much for you.

　Besides, that's not what I'm really here for. It's not about saving people.

　--The goal is to use the Garlist Kingdom as a springboard to get the crown into the hands of the heraldry. That's it.

　Most of the big words I've uttered in the puppet city of Philos were spoken by Mattia, Erdis and the others. And so they were trumped up by Philos-Treit. Apparently.

　The Bashar family name. Tacit approval to use the lands of nobles who are cooperating with Philos as marching routes. Secure supply routes. Lobby the surrounding nations. And prepare the troops.

　As they rushed about, it seemed as if they had forgotten the border between morning and night.



　Naturally, I had to go along with them a few times, but in terms of education and knowledge, I was no match for them. I was almost left to my own devices, and it was a shame. The difference in education is a very sad thing.

"...... is true. Mattia, and Elddis. I'm glad you agreed. It's a march that could cost you everything once you stumble upon it.

　I'm not sure what to make of that. The words are tense, and with a hint of gloom.

　The words are not pessimistic, there is no mistake at all. In fact, they sound much more rational.

　Even though they are cooperating with Philos, some of the nobles of the Garlist Kingdom are still not completely on our side. If our position is compromised, they'll easily draw their arrows against us.

　Besides, marching in the deadly snow is the worst and the worst. There have been many cases in the past where a country's army was attacked by a large herd of monsters and half destroyed.

　The identity of the hexenbiest that felled the capital is still unknown. We have information that it is a small group, but other than that, we don't know what it is.

　The list of concerns is as long as a weed, but for us, one mistake and it's over. Everything around us is an enemy. There is no such thing as thin ice.

　If man survived and there were scholars of history, they would say.

　That's insane.

　But it's been insane since the first fall of Galuamaria. And there are things in this world that need to be done, even if you're not in your right mind.

　I'll throw away all my sanity if I have to.

　After all, heraldry is only a minor force. It's no good just taking advantage of the chaos and raiding a city or two. It will be consumed by the catastrophe itself.

　If we step back now and try to prolong our lives, we'll just be strangled with cotton for the rest of our lives. I don't want that.

　Then we'll just have to lose everything or let it all fall into our hands.

　Why not? I'll take the crown for starters. Look into Fialaert's dark eyes and say.

"There's always a better way to spend a stormy day. Well. I'll be fine.

　As for me, I'd be happy if some future bard wrote a poem about it. I shrugged as I added that.

　Besides, if he were in my shoes... I'm sure he'd be able to do this.

　His silver hair shimmers beside him. A deep smile on his cheeks.

"They say the fear of the imagination is far more terrifying than the fear of the eye. Don't worry. I will take all the glory you desire if need be.

　As if in response to Kalia's words, a black eye bounced strongly beside her. The horses neighed in response. The horse neighed in response, and Fialaert said with a fierce tone.

"Well. I wouldn't mind if you threw it all away now. A Lugis is a Lugis no matter where it goes. That's not the same as glory, is it, Kalia?

　A slight pause. I'm not sure if it's because I'm in between them or because I'm suffocating, but I'm strangely feeling the sting of their words. I'm sure it's not my imagination, but... Even so, it was rare to see such a blatant exchange of verbal fangs.

　I wonder if something happened between them. Something that would reveal their emotions. Somehow, there was something in the back of my brain. I couldn't figure out what it was, but...

　The moment of silence continued for a while, and then I looked up. I saw a slightly elevated hill ahead of me. My cheeks naturally relaxed. I let out a breath from the bottom of my lungs.

　How nostalgic. A hill I've passed many times before. It hasn't changed a bit.

　At last I began to feel a kind of nostalgia deep in my chest. A feeling of warmth in my core, yet a feeling of emotion.

　To be honest, I was surprised that I had something like this. But it's not so bad.

　--It's been a long, long way. I'm finally home. To the Garleist Kingdom.

　Originally, I was supposed to see Caria off to Garouamalia and come straight back. I don't know how it got twisted.

　Yeah, but... Not a bad detour. Some things gained, some things lost. Still, not bad.



　She let out a hot breath and narrowed her eyes at the same time. Then, he intensified his gaze.

　On top of a nostalgic hill, I see what looks like several soldiers. He tilted his treasured sword without realizing it.